Genesis 38:1-6

Judah and Tamar

1 At that time, Judah left his brothers. He went down to stay with a man named Hirah. Hirah was from the town of Adullam.
2 There Judah met the daughter of a man from Canaan. His name was Shua. Judah married her and made love to her.
3 She became pregnant. She had a son. They named him Er.
4 She became pregnant again and had another son. She named him Onan.
5 She had still another son. She named him Shelah. He was born at Kezib.
6 Judah got a wife for his oldest son Er. Her name was Tamar.

Genesis 38:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 38

This chapter is wholly taken up with matters relating to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, from whom the Jews have their name, and from whom Christ sprung: it treats of his marriage with a Canaanitess, his children by her, their character and end, Ge 38:1-11; of his incest with his daughter-in-law, though unknown by him, Ge 38:12-23; of his resentment against her, when he heard she was with child, and his confusion when he found it was by himself, Ge 38:24-26; and of the birth of twins by her, named Pharez and Zarah, Ge 38:27-30.

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